It is mentioned in the hadith, "There will surely be people from my Ummah..." Does the term Ummah refer only to the Muslims, or does it include the disbelievers as well?

The questioner : In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. And may prayers and peace be upon the noblest of the prophets and messengers, our master Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him), and upon his family and all his Companions.

The Shaykh : May Allah send prayers and peace upon him.

The questioner : Your Eminence, a questioner asks: It is mentioned in a hadith from the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) that he said: So, does the intention in the hadith refer to my Ummah as both Muslims and disbelievers, or only Muslims?

The Shaykh : The hadith is general, encompassing both, but the majority of such cases refer to the believers. However, this is not evidence for the permissibility of the matter that occurs; rather, it may be a warning against it. For example, his saying (peace and blessings be upon him): He did not say this as a statement of fact, but as a warning, meaning: Beware of this. And similarly, his saying (peace and blessings be upon him): He informed that among his Ummah there are those who will follow the Jews and the Christians, but he did not say this as a statement of fact, but as a warning.